IOC Executive Board wraps-up first day of meetings
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board concluded today its first of three days of meetings in Lausanne, Switzerland, with a number of decisions taken on institutional matters.
New IOC recognitions
The International Cheer Union (ICU) and the International Federation of Muaythai Amateur (IFMA) were granted provisional IOC recognition for a period of three years by the Executive Board. These two International Federations will now be able to receive funding from the IOC and can apply for development programmes. The full recognition has to be granted by the IOC Session.
Change of nationalities
The EB approved the change of nationalities for two athletes who will compete in PyeongChang:
- Mr Jan HUDEC (Skiing), from Canada to Czech Republic
- Ms Katerina SMUTNA (Skiing), from Austria to Czech Republic
New appointment
Finally, the EB was informed of the appointment of Mr Samuel Schmid, former President of the Swiss Confederation, former Federal Council in charge of Army, Population and Sport and member of the IOC Ethics Commission, as new Chairman of the Inquiry Commission looking into allegations surrounding systematic doping with regard to the Olympic Winter Games Sochi 2014. Mr Schmid follows Guy Canivet – a former judge of the French Constitutional Court – who stood down from his position as Vice Chair of the IOC Ethics Commission and as Chair of the IOC Inquiry Commission for personal reasons.
In a conversation with IOC President Thomas Bach, Mr Canivet asked for understanding of the decision, and expressed his willingness to be at the IOC’s disposal to continue to give advice whenever needed. President Bach expressed the full respect of the IOC for his decision and thanked him for “all the great work he has done over many years of service to strengthen the credibility of the Olympic Movement.” He also welcomed his willingness to continue to give help and advice.
Buenos Aires 2018 YOG sports programme
Following the YOG Tripartite Working Group recommendations for the future of the Youth Olympic Games adopted by the IOC Session in Rio last August, the IOC EB agreed today to add dance sport, karate and sport climbing to the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) Buenos Aires 2018 sports programme. Read the news here for more information.